News Release

Health Careers Access program
celebrates 35th anniversary

CHAPEL HILL - The North Carolina Health Careers Access Program (NC-HCAP) commemorated its 35th anniversary with a special program and reception held recently at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The program seeks to increase the number of minority and disadvantaged students interested, educated and employed in the health professions. Since its inception in 1971, the program has served thousands of students, administrators, health professionals, advisors, mentors and parents, said Dr. Carolyn Mayo, former program director.

"When these students become health practitioners, particularly in underserved communities, they promote a higher quality of life for us all," Mayo said.

Mayo presided over the Oct. 26 ceremony, which featured the three previous directors as special guests. Founding director Eva Clayton and former directors Dr. E. Lavonia Allison and Dr. Robert Thorpe reflected upon their experiences and highlighted some of the program's most significant accomplishments during its 35 years. Mayo was recognized during the ceremony for her 16 years of service to the organization.

The program was founded in 1971 by Dr. Cecil Sheps, then UNC vice chancellor for health affairs, as the North Carolina Health Manpower Development Program. Sheps hoped to provide a solution to the severe shortage of minority health professionals working in underserved rural and inner-city North Carolina communities. In 1973, the organization expanded to include health careers centers at three historically minority universities -- North Carolina Central University, Elizabeth City State University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. It was renamed the North Carolina Health Careers Access Program in 1990.

Today, the program continues to develop innovative ways to provide health careers education as well as academic and enrichment support to pre-college and college students, Mayo said.

"NC-HCAP is making a positive difference every day for disadvantaged students who are interested in the health professions," said Chancellor James Moeser. "Its presence at Carolina benefits everyone through daily interaction with the health related schools and campus diversity programs. Providing access to a college education for disadvantaged students is part of our commitment to the State of North Carolina and key to our mission of service."

Dr. Carol Tresolini, UNC associate provost for academic initiatives, said the health careers access program "is a critically important component of the pipeline of programs that prepare students for success in their chosen health professions."

For more information about the North Carolina Health Careers Access Program or its programs and services, contact (919) 966-2264 or visit http://nchcap.unc.edu.

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NC-HCAP contact: Renee King, (919) 966-2264 or rhking@email.unc.edu
News Services contact: Becky Oskin, (919) 962-8596 or becky_oskin@unc.edu